A fresh forecast has wandered onto the economic stage, and it’s humming a tune that every investor, renter, and future homeowner should hear. The melody? A market split—two rental worlds moving to different rhythms.
Renting: A Tale of Two Markets
The rental market is taking on the shape of a double-door corridor—one side bustling with footsteps, the other with plenty of elbow room. And it all begins with what’s happening in the for-sale housing world.
Single-Family Rents: Poised to Rise 2.2%
When buying a home becomes a financial high-wire act—thanks to mortgage rates and elevated prices—people seek a softer landing. That usually means renting.
But not just anything. Many want the space, privacy, and familiarity of a single-family home.
As more renters squeeze into this lane, demand tightens… and rents climb. Zillow expects a 2.2% riseover the next year.
For investors already holding single-family rentals? That forecast feels like sunshine warming a well-kept portfolio. For those considering acquiring one? The door isn’t closing—but it’s definitely swinging faster.
Multifamily Rents: A Slight Dip of 0.1%
Meanwhile, the apartment market is catching its breath under a very different sky.
There’s been a construction boom—cranes scribbling across the skyline, fresh buildings opening their polished doors, and a flood of new units entering the market.
This hefty supply often outpaces demand. Landlords respond with softer pricing, freebies, and concessions that sound like little welcome-gifts to renters. The result? Zillow predicts a 0.1% declinein multifamily rents.
For apartment hunters, this translates into options—real options. In many growing areas, especially those dotted with new builds, renters can finally look around without feeling squeezed by scarcity.
What This Split Really Says
This divergence in the rental market is more than numbers—it’s a snapshot of the pressures shaping American housing today.
Affordability issues are pushing many into single-family rentals, tightening that market. Meanwhile, a surge in apartment construction cools multifamily rents.
If you’re in Atlanta—or eyeing the city for investment—this is especially important. Atlanta continues to attract newcomers, job-seekers, and long-term residents who want suburban comfort with urban access. Demand for single-family rentals stays strong, and these forecasts add an encouraging drumbeat.
If you own or have been thinking about owning a rental property in Atlanta, especially a single-family unit, the next 12 months look promising.
Rising single-family rents + high rental demand = a compelling opportunity for investors.
Good news for current and future landlords.
Even better news for those holding single-family rentals And a clearer path forward for anyone strategising their next move in the Atlanta market.
